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How I Watercolor
I have been working with watercolor since my college days at KU in the late 80's. I took a class from Prof. Curtis Besinger (a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice). Simple washes, typically 1 color was the method as seen here. Never more than a 4 color palette for simplicity. Graphically is was easy to apply, went well with the ink work I did , and was effective in differentiating ideas. I even later applied the 4 color palette to my final studio project which won me an honorable mention in a national competition.
Watercolor is a not the be all for illustration work but it has some great properties that make colors bright, energetic and a distinctive illusion of space. Not realistic but captivating "real".
After graduation, I worked for Sneary Architectural Illustration. Were I found these methods useful but barely scratch the surface of how I learn to use watercolor today. While the method of applying the color is not much different, Here I learn about intensity of color, color mixing, and the many tricks one can employed to get certain effects sometimes only seen in watercolor.
The main advantages of watercolor are..
Read more: How I WatercolorRequest a quote
We can start this process with no more than a conversation or napkin sketch, but I can develop a more accurate quote if I am provided with the design drawings. Wherever you are in the design process, early or late, I can work with you to provide an illustration to meet your needs.
Send me whatever you deem appropriate to describing your design: elevations, site plan, building plans, sections, details, photos, cut sheets, color boards, etc.). PDF images are useful to start this process but DWG’s will eventually be required if you need me to make the computer model. Regardless of how each project begins, when you call me you are speaking with a past architect, an accomplished illustrator, and the business manager, so you get direct answers and firm commitments.
Cost estimates:
Once we establish the scope of services, I will provide a not-to-exceed price in the form of a one-page proposal. The work will be billed hourly up the not-to-exceed, so if the work goes faster than expected then I only bill you for the hours I work.
A simple line drawing can cost from $250 to $800. A typical color rendering ranges from $1000 to $3000. Reimbursable expenses and sales tax, if applicable, are additional (see below).
Time and schedule:
Rendering typically take me a day for a black-and-white sketch, a few days for a simple watercolor, and a week or more for a complex renderings. If the project is on a rush, call me now so I can fit you into my schedule.
Flexibility:
I can provide a full service product, collaborate with your staff, or pick up the project using a computer model developed at your office. If changes are made to the work after the proposal is accepted, then adjustments for my time are added to the initial proposal should I exceed the capped price.
Reimbursable expenses and sales tax:
Reimbursable expenses include printing (offset, bubblejet, laser, Xerox, etc. including paper), mounting, delivery, packaging, framing, film, photo developing and any other processes either typical of illustrating or at the request of the client.
All businesses operating in Missouri are subject to sales tax (7.25% as of July 2010) unless they are either tax exempt or charging sales tax themselves to their clients. Tax exempt entities are required to provide proof of exemption.
